A Look Back: Browns-Steelers

In this feature, ClevelandBrowns.com looks back to the Browns' 13-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 10, 2009.

On Dec. 10, 2009, at what was then known as Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Browns had a sack fest.

They sacked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger eight times, the third-highest total in franchise history and their most in 16 years, to key a 13-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers before a national television audience on Thursday Night Football and 69,009 freeze-dried fans who sat through one of the coldest conditions ever for a Browns home game.

The temperature at kickoff was 22 degrees, but a 27-mile-per-hour wind reduced the wind-chill factor to four degrees.

But for Browns fans, it was worth all the shivering as they got to see their team beat Pittsburgh for the first time since 2003, and the first time in Cleveland since 2000.

What made it even better was the fact the loss all but eliminated the Steelers (6-7) from the playoff hunt with three games left. The Browns (2-11) got their first victory in two months, and it started them on a four-game, season-ending winning streak.

Defensive linemen Marcus Benard and Corey Williams led the Browns’ sack parade with two each, while fellow lineman Brian Schaefering had 1.5. Linebacker David Bowens and cornerback Hank Poteat, a former Steeler, each contributed a sack, and linebacker Kaluka Maiava added a half-sack.

The defense held Roethlisberger to 201 yards passing, but when the 60 yards lost in sacks are figured in, the net Steelers passing total was only 141 yards.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn threw for only 90 yards, but he did a good job of letting his running attack, which accounted for 171 yards, and the defense control the game. He was careful with the ball as well, not throwing an interception.

And despite the cold conditions, the Browns also did not lose any fumbles.

The Browns scored all of their points in the first half in gaining a 13-0 lead. Phil Dawson booted two 29-yard field goals -- one in the first quarter and the other in the second -- and then Chris Jennings added a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

The Steelers closed it to 13-3 at halftime with a 27-yard field goal by Jeff Reed, and he added a 42-yarder in the third quarter.

But that was all Pittsburgh could get. The Browns surrendered just 218 total yards and did not allow the Steelers to score a touchdown in the series for the first time since 2001.

Tight end Evan Moore and running back Jerome Harrison each caught two passes, and Moore had 34 yards receiving. Harrison got just nine yards rushing in seven attempts on the cold night, but 10 days later, he would rush for 289 yards, a club record and one of the highest totals in NFL history, in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs.